Botanical Garden Tours

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

A good place to learn about the region's floral heritage is Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, on the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Here thousands of indigenous plant species are on show within a relatively small area, as they provide a splendid overview of what can expect to see on your wider travels.

Kirstenbosch is the largest of a country-wide network of nine botanical gardens. The developed garden (36ha) displays collections of Southern African plants, including many rare and endangered species.

A number of themed gardens have been created and include the Fynbos garden, Braille trail and Fragrance garden, Useful plants Garden and a Waterwise Demonstration Garden.

Several trails lead through the natural forest and Fynbos surrounding the cultivated garden. They range from 1.5km (45mins) to 7.8km (3hrs). Access to Table Mountain is possible via well-marked routes up Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine.

A popular outdoor concert season is held annually on Sunday evenings.

Harold Porter National Botanical Garden

This beautiful, secluded garden situated in Betty's Bay is nestled between the mountain and the sea where a number of streams and pools flow. This garden is home to many of the Cape's Fynbos species and consists of 10 hectares of cultivated Fynbos and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural Fynbos.

The garden boasts Disa uniflora in its natural habitat where it flowers from mid-December to the end of January. There are approximately 96 species of birds including the Orange breasted Sunbird and the rare Protea Canary. The garden has several kilometers of nature trails providing scenic views of mountains and coastline.

Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden

This garden is unique in that it is the only truly succulent garden in the Southern hemisphere and on the African continent. Set against the backdrop of spectacular 2000m mountain peaks in Worcester,this garden features succulents and bulbs from drier parts of South Africa.

One of the floral highlights of the year is Spring, when thousands of annuals and brightly coloured Vygies come into flower. This colour spectacle lasts from mid-August to the end of September. The garden is also a haven for rare and endangered plants, with over 300 species being protected and propagated.

Almost 70 species of birds have been recorded in the garden, as well as a wide range of small mammals. Approximately 11 hectares of the estate is cultivated, whilst the remaining 144 are kept as a flora reserve which has several kilometers of nature trails.